The 5 Basic Facts You Need to Know about Moles to Get the Most Out of Vibration Stakes.
So you've decided that you can't live with moles in your garden, but you can't kill them. How do you get humanely get rid of moles?
First, it's important to remember 5 basic facts about moles.
They are solitary mammals.
They are VERY territorial and will attack an newcomer onto their territory.
The only time moles tolerate each other is when they need to breed. Males and females will meet at the edges of their territories. Of course female moles, (who are intersex by the way) will live with their pups for about a month.
A mole's territory is only about 2 and a half acres. There is some variation with species and male territories may be larger. In addition, an environment with more worms and grubs may support more moles with smaller territories.
In spring, the young moles will disperse from the nest of their mother. She will want nothing to do with them and they need to leave and find their own territories as soon as they can. This is the most dangerous time for a mole, and it is when they are most likely to be picked off by predators, or killed by another mole.
Knowing this, one can determine the best course of action in reducing the number of mole tunnels in your yard. In some cases, you may need to do nothing at all--if you see moles only in April to May and never again, then these are dispersing juveniles. If you see no more moles after that, then you don't need to take any action. However, if moles have had a habit of staying, then you may want to take action.
For the prevention of settling moles, I advise using vibration stakes. These may be less effective in already settled moles, as those settled may simply learn to become accustomed to the pulsing vibrations rather than risk finding new territory. Young moles, however, are already at the most dangerous part of their lives and are looking for stability and a lack of another mole. For these moles, vibration stakes are effective in repelling them.
Proper placement is key. So is the number of stakes you set down. For a small garden on either side of your door, you may only need two stakes on the perimeter of the garden. These stakes' pulses may only reach 3 feet in a diameter around the stake, so plan your placement accordingly. Moles prefer to build surface tunnels for feeding alongside walls, gates, and paths. These can also provide a good place to set down stakes.
There are many different stakes to choose from. You may opt for solar repellent stakes by that require batteries such as Sweeney's low cost spikes that take double AA batteries--these need to be replaced every 4 to 6 months.
You can also now get stakes from Vekibee that are solar powered, ensuring longer life.
Vibration stakes are an excellent way to humanely get rid of any new moles looking for new territories. In other blog posts I will go over ways to reduce or deter established moles.